LOS ANGELES (September 28, 2006) — How wonderful celeb news is when Elton John’s in the world.
The ever-opinionated popster weighed in on a variety of subjects in a recent interview with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush.
Among the topics ? Clay Aiken, Whitney Houston and the Elton John AIDS Foundation
Elton talked about exactly how lucky he has been and how luck was the inspiration for him starting the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992.
?I’ve dodged so many bullets, not only just because of unsafe sex, but because of the amount of drugs I did, the amount of alcohol, the amount of work I was doing. I started the Elton John AIDS Foundation because I got so lucky,” he told Billy.
Elton also opened up about his decision to leave the rock n’ roll lifestyle behind and how his life has changed as a result.
“I kept doing (the rock and roll life) over and over again and always ended up being miserable and hurting the other person and hurting myself. I don’t miss that whatsoever,” Elton added. “I’m so glad I’ve got a stable relationship with a partner who loves me and is willing to front me. We share everything together.?
Sir Elton also talked about some of music’s other stars.
“When you look at somebody like Whitney Houston who has tried so many times to get back on track and right now seems to have left Bobby because that was a mistake, do you identify with that?” Billy asked.
“People stay in relationships that aren’t good for them because they’re drawn back to it, it’s like a moth to a flame, in a way that is obviously not good. Bobby?s not good for her and because of the addiction thing she keeps going back. She loves him. The writing was on the wall many, many years ago with that one,” Elton replied.
The next topic? Clay Aiken’s recent interview on Primetime Live.
“Diane Sawyer asked Clay Aiken in an interview if he was gay,” Billy said. “Is that understandable that Diane would ask that question?”
“Well, she’s a journalist. That’s her job,” Elton shrugged. “There’s been so many rumors about Clay in certain papers, that he has to expect if he’s being interviewed by someone like Diane Sawyer, that question is going to come up. A journalist has to do that. I don’t even care if Clay Aiken is gay or not. I mean, it’s none of my business.”
“Do you think it’s a slippery slope? I mean, Lance Bass was outted by a tabloid,” Billy noted.
“It seems to be harder for people to come out in American than it is in Britain where everybody is out of the closet ? just storming the beaches,” Elton joked. “I just think it’s such a shame to have to live your life looking over your shoulder.”
In a career spanning five decades, Elton has sold over 250 million records and has over 50 Top 40 hits, making him one of the most successful musicians of all time.
But is retirement in the plans anytime soon?
“I’m touring next year ‘cause it’s my 60th birthday, after 2007 I’m only going to work 6 months a year, because I need some time with David, spend some time at home and just stop and smell the roses a little bit. Six months a year is enough to work, as far as doing shows. That’s a rule I made after 2007. But you’ll be seeing a lot of me. I’m not retiring, but I just want to have more time to myself,” Elton explained.
The Elton John Aids Foundation will be holding it?s fifth annual benefit, ?An Enduring Vision,? October 3, 2006 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
For more with Elton, tune in to Access Hollywood on Friday (Sept. 29) and Monday (Oct. 2) for our two-part interview!
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